South Africa to bid for RWC
August 29 2008
The South African Rugby Union's (SARU) President's Council on Friday confirmed the Union's interest in bidding to host either the 2015 or 2019 Rugby World Cup.
SARU president Mr Regan Hoskins briefed council members on the bidding process and secured agreement that the body Union would inform the IRB of their interest while considering the implications of making a formal bid.
Mr Hoskins said: "I hope to be meeting shortly with the sports minister to discuss our intentions. The IRB require a substantial guarantee and rugby on its own would be unable to foot the bill."
The meeting was also informed that officials had had a positive meeting with the South African Revenue Service regarding the process of moving to a unitary structure. The matter will now go to the management committee (MANCO) for discussion next month.
South Africa will also bid to host either the 2011 or 2012 IRB Junior World Championships in Durban.
Other decisions taken included that no current of former Springboks would be eligible to play for the Emerging Springboks and that the contracting of Springboks will be undertaken by a seven-man committee including the national coach, manager of national teams, national selectors, union president, managing director and chairman of the board.
Also, the unfilled position of national director of coaching will be suspended until the strategic plan following unification is clarified.
Meanwhile, a special shareholder's meeting of SA Rugby on Friday mandated its three representatives on the board to hold discussions with Mpumelelo Tshume (chairman) and Jonathan Stones (managing director) over a parting of the ways with the organisation.
"The shareholder feels that the time has come for a parting of the ways," said Hoskins.
"We want to hold amicable discussions with them over how that might be achieved but there has been a breakdown in relationships that, unfortunately, cannot be repaired."
According to a statement from SA Rugby, the method of the parting of the ways will be discussed at the next board meeting.